As this is my first time traveling to Greece, I’ve included Santorini, which is one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea. To get there, I had flown on a RyanAir flight from Athens and it took around 1 hour. As an alternative to flight, a ferry ride from Piraeus port in Athens is possible if you have that much time to kill.
There are many ways to enjoy this romantic island. Although one can’t deny that this island is too touristy and some people even think it costs an arm and a leg, especially in summer, you can still enjoy this beautiful island the way you prefer. For a simpler, moderate and less costly trip, choose an accommodation in or nearby Fira town. It is so much cheaper to stay even further but transportation could be a problem. For a more romantic, dramatic, and exclusivity, Oia is a perfect place.
Take lots
of photos at the viewing point in Fira
Spend some time, or more, at the viewing point just outside the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral. Located at a height of 400 m and overlooking the Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni, the viewpoint will take your breath away. The shades of blue and turquoise of the sea, combined with the natural landscapes of the two volcanic islands, it was hard to stop taking more and more photos. Wind could be a bit strong and chilly sometimes but it should not be a reason not to enjoy the view. The white-washed buildings, complemented with several blue domes make the views even more charming and calming.
Take the
588 steps down / cable car / donkey ride to Amoudi Bay and/or back
Increase daily
steps by taking the stairway to Amoudi Bay. Gorgeous views from different angles are
awaiting. But extremely careful as the steps are uneven and some are covered
with donkey dung. It is best to take pace steps unless stepping on donkey
dung is not a problem. Taking the stairways healthier and free, but the stench
and donkey traffic would be a turnoff.
If the
stairway is your enemy, take the cable car or donkey ride down.
It’s faster and more convenient this way but probably not the best way to make full
use of the time. It would be a long queue for the cable car ride.
Buy
cheap souvenirs at the last row of shops when going down the stairway
These shops
sell common tourist stuff i.e. fridge magnets, key rings, shot glasses, postcards, etc. They are the cheapest in Santorini but fewer in varieties
Have a grilled
seafood lunch at the restaurants with a heavenly sea view
Pick a
restaurant of your choice. There are so many restaurants offering sea view seats.
Fresh seafood is guaranteed and prices are reasonable or could be a dime a
dozen if you know where to look for the right place (but this is Santorini!). Grilled
seafood is often served with Greek rice and fresh salads. Although the views
are amazing, be prepared for the strong wind and cloudy sky which could be chilly
(especially for those coming from tropical countries). A light jacket or a
shawl would be needed.
Update your knowledge of history at the museums
and archaeological sites
Santorini is not merely about romance and
scenery. It is an island with interesting historical background. It is lovely
to see how the history of this island is revived. For history aficionado, it’s
a good thing to buy a combo ticket, costs €14, which covers Archaeological Museum,
the Museum of Prehistoric Thera, the Byzantine Museum (in Pyrgos), and the 2 archaeological
of Thera (in Kamari) and Akrotiri. Otherwise, it would cost €28 and no one wants to burn a hole in their
pocket!
Look for
the frequently photographed spots
Thousands
of photos in Santorini have been luring travel junkies and photography buffs to search
for the beautiful spots. With the cliff-lined with white-washed buildings and the
blue domes of the churches, it creates ravishing photos regardless of what type
of photography device one is using. In Oia, the caldera views, the Atlantis books, and the blue dome churches are the gorgeous photo locations that would be interesting
to look for. Other locations include the ravishing Red Beach near Akrotiri, the
church bells in Fira, as well as the blue domed church, and the beach in Perissa.
Hiking
from Fira to Oia
Santorini
may not have high level difficulty hiking trails but for a satisfying and
physically challenging activity, hiking to Oia from Fire is a must. Hiking time
takes around 2.5 hour, or more. Those who are being charmed by the beauty along
the hiking route would definitely take the opportunities to stop and take some
photo shots. Wear proper walking shoes or sandals as the path is not always in
perfect condition. And of course, bottled water to avoid dehydration.
View the
sunset in Oia
Some might despise
the idea of going to places having truckloads of people just to witness a
sunset (that’s me!) but I must say that the sunset in Oia is a sight for sore eyes.
People will swarm in at the Oia castle ruin as sunset is approaching so it is a
good thing to be at the viewing spots 2-3 hours before sunset. Make sure to bring
spare batteries or power banks because there is a possibility of taking thousands
of photos around Oia itself and the camera/phones would run out of battery
before sunset. No one wants to experience that frustrating moment.
Spend
time at the lovely beaches
Swimming,
picnicking, sunbathing, photographing, or doing nothing at all, beaches in Santorini
are absolutely the perfect spots to spend the time. Perissa, Kamari, Red Beach
to name a few, are both interesting and enjoyable.
The longer the stay, the more things can be done on this island. How I wished I had stayed a week so that I could go scuba diving, island hopping, and explore the cozy villages.
